SUKHUMI. June 10 - Abkhazia will not discuss any form of unification with Tbilisi, Foreign Minister of the self- proclaimed republic Sergei Shamba told Interfax on Thursday.

A proposal for settling the Abkhaz conflict was published in the Georgian newspaper 24-Hours on Thursday. It was said that seven authoritative experts had drafted the proposal over one year.

Abkhazia is offered the status of a Georgian constituent with very broad powers. It is based on the Spanish model, in which Catalonia has a special status as an autonomy. The concept says that Abkhazia will enjoy all rights except the right to recognition as a separate country.

"The Abkhaz people have made their choice, and the Abkhaz authorities will do their best to retain independence," Shamba said.

He also rejected any form of unification with Russia. Abkhazia stands for cultural and economic integration, but it does not want political unification, the minister said.


Source: Interfax